A grim chapter unfolded in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district, where seven patients lost their lives after being treated by a man masquerading as a renowned UK cardiologist. The accused, identified as Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, allegedly adopted the identity of Professor John Camm—a respected name in global cardiology—to gain credibility at a missionary hospital.
The Impersonation Uncovered
Yadav, who joined the hospital in January 2025, carried out at least 12 surgeries—posing as “Dr N John Camm”—before abruptly vanishing in February. The ruse unraveled after suspicious outcomes and patient deaths raised red flags among hospital staff and relatives. When inquiries began, they discovered there were no verified credentials under the name used by the doctor.
The real Professor John Camm, a distinguished academic at St George’s University in London, later issued a public warning on social media, alerting Indian medical institutions and the public about the impersonation.
A Systemic Breach of Trust
The hospital, which operates under the Ayushman Bharat scheme—a flagship healthcare initiative of the Indian government—now faces serious scrutiny over its hiring and verification processes. Critics have slammed the facility for failing to conduct proper background checks and risking lives under its roof.
Local sources revealed that Yadav operated with a forged medical degree and had been presenting himself as a foreign-returned specialist for years. His prior arrest in Telangana and an ongoing FIR indicate a longer trail of deceit that authorities are now tracking.
Families Seek Justice, NHRC Steps In
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken swift action, with a team scheduled to arrive in Damoh from April 7 to 9. “This is not just about medical fraud—it’s a human rights violation. People trusted the system and paid with their lives,” NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said.
Distraught families of the deceased have demanded legal action, compensation, and stricter regulations to prevent such incidents. One relative of a victim said, “We believed our loved one was in expert hands. We were never told the doctor wasn’t real. Now we’re left with unanswered questions and immeasurable grief.”
A Call for Reform
This incident has reignited calls for robust credential verification in both public and private hospitals, particularly those linked to government health schemes. Experts suggest a nationwide digital registry of certified practitioners with QR-code-enabled access for verification to prevent future impersonations.
As the investigation unfolds, the story of a man who fooled an entire hospital into trusting him with human lives stands as a chilling reminder of the cost of medical negligence—and the urgent need for reform.
